Maybe this sounds bizarre, but I believe one of the best ways to be great today is to refuse to play the game everyone else is playing.

Here's what I mean by that:

When you finish reading this post, you will be doing yourself a huge favor if you take 30-minutes to actually put pen to paper and write a list of 10 things which are unique about you.

If you don't have time right now to do this, then take 30-minutes at lunch or during your afternoon coffee break and journal.

Why would I suggest this?

Simply because most of the world is reacting to life instead of creating it. Most people have no idea who they really are. And, if you have the courage and chutzpah to figure out who the real "YOU" is, then you'll be a thousand steps ahead of the competition. You should do some deep soul-searching and write about the kind of person you're becoming.

Doing so guarantees you will see where you're imitating others and lying to yourself - like where you're giving into FOMO, people-pleasing, and a whole list of other soul-destroying compromises.

Now, I'm the first to admit this type of self-examination is not easy.

It's a heck of a lot easier to keep your mouth shut and play nice with everyone around you. You don't want to rock the boat if you're a part of the mindless herd. And, you definitely don't want to risk the judgment or persecution that comes with heading in a different direction.

Which is exactly why you should try to carve out 30-minutes today and not put this life-changing exercise off.

If you're really serious about keeping it real - becoming your authentic self - then you need to cancel whatever is next on your schedule and act now. Doing so will ensure you won't waste another day not being the real you.

Whatever excuse is crossing your mind right now, kill it and get to work.

To be clear, I'm not talking about faking it until you make it. I know this idea has been popularized. But, it's not sustainable. You don't need to fake who you are.

And if you have to go to extreme measures today to carve out the time to do this for yourself, it'll be worth it.

Here's to keeping it real today...

Steve Knox

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